Verstappen wants Red Bull even better in '24: 'That's our weak point'

Max Verstappen continues his record hunt in Abu Dhabi. If the Dutchman wins the Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit, it will be the 54th win of his career. That would be one more than Sebastian Vettel, the now-retired German. Currently, Vettel and Verstappen are tied for third on the list of most wins in Formula 1, so a win could put the Dutchman alone in third place. Only Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher would then be ahead of him.

"Of course, it's quite a crazy number," Verstappen responded. "We had a crazy, crazy year. So it [passing Vettel's record] would be very nice. But at the same time, I'm very focused on what's ahead of me. Hopefully, next year, we have a competitive car again. We can then really continue our momentum and try to win more races."

The other teams will try to do everything they can to catch up with Red Bull Racing in '24. Whether they will succeed, according to Verstappen, is "difficult to say": "But, of course, we are also working on our car to try and make it better. I think we know our weaknesses as well in the car. That's what we'll try to work on. Plus trying to make our strengths even stronger."

So, although Red Bull failed to win just one Grand Prix this current season, Verstappen feels there are weaknesses. "Of course there are. Look at our race weekend in Singapore. So, in general, on street circuits, I think we are struggling a bit more, like in Vegas, too. Low speed is definitely not our strongest point in the car. Bumps and kerbs as well. So that's definitely a big area where we can get improved."

The 2024 season is something for later, and Verstappen wants to finish this year successfully first, a season that was a succession of highlights. "I think winning the comeback race in Miami was great," says the Dutchman, asked about the best moment. "Winning the comeback race in Miami, I think, was great. I think that was an important one. Winning at home in Zandvoort was a very nice one, too, and I think winning in Suzuka after the tough weekend we had in Singapore was fantastic as well."